☀️ Schemes
Cabinet approves ₹1,856 crore Khelo India scheme to make sports goods in India
In 60 seconds: The Union Cabinet has approved the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme with an outlay of ₹1,856.67 crore for 2026 to 2033-34. It will set up Sports Goods Manufacturing Zones that bring makers, suppliers, testing and design centres together. ₹1,130 crore will go to anchor investment and turnover-linked support for big manufacturers and brands, and ₹105 crore will help firms win international sports federation certification.
Why it matters
Indian players often use imported gear. Making world-standard equipment at home can create factory jobs, help small units in existing clusters and boost exports.
Explain it simply
If every chai shop on a street buys cups, sugar and milk from one market lane, all of them save time and money. Manufacturing zones do the same for sports goods makers.
The 3-minute read
What happened
The scheme has two parts: incentives for manufacturing, and support for the wider ecosystem such as research, skills, start-ups and branding for global markets.
Background
The zones will be built by linking with the BHAVYA scheme and NICDC industrial parks. Existing sports goods clusters and MSMEs will get help to upgrade common facilities.
How it works
Centres of Excellence at top institutions will research sports equipment, materials and protective gear, with research funding through the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
What's next
Skill training will be run with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and global marketing will use the Export Promotion Mission.
What it means for you
If you are into sport or design, look out for start-up and skill openings in sports equipment, a field the scheme wants to grow.
Key numbers
- ₹1,856.67 crore: Total outlay, 2026 to 2033-34
- ₹1,130 crore: Anchor investment and turnover-linked support
- ₹105 crore: Help with international federation certification
Both sides
- The government: Clusters, incentives and research will make India a globally competitive maker of sports goods.
- Small manufacturers: Help for anchor investors is welcome, but small units in old clusters need cheap credit and easy certification to benefit.
Key terms explained
- Anchor investment
- A large investment by a leading company that draws suppliers and smaller firms to set up around it.
- Manufacturing zone
- A designated area where factories, suppliers and testing centres are grouped together with shared infrastructure.
The story so far
- 1 Jul 2025: Cabinet approves Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, the new national sports policy. Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 replaced the National Sports Policy of 2001. It aims to make India a strong sporting nation and also links sport with the economy, including manufacturing.
- Feb 2026: Union Budget 2026-27 announces a dedicated scheme for sports goods manufacturing. In the Union Budget 2026-27 the Finance Minister proposed a dedicated initiative for sports goods covering manufacturing, research and equipment design. The Cabinet has now approved it.
- Today: Cabinet clears ₹1,856.67 crore Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme
Exam notes (UPSC, SSC, Banking, PSC)
- 'Sports' is a State List subject (Entry 33, List II) in the Seventh Schedule.
- Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, the National Sports Policy, replaced the 2001 policy.
- Jalandhar (Punjab) and Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) are India's best-known sports goods manufacturing hubs.
- The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) was set up under the ANRF Act, 2023 to fund research.
Likely exam question: How can cluster-based manufacturing zones help MSMEs? Discuss India's potential as an exporter of sports goods.